Pauloabibite is a very rare member of the delafossite group found in carbonatite complexes. It typically presents as small, dark, platy crystals that are difficult to distinguish from other similar oxide minerals without chemical analysis.
Is this pauloabibite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch pauloabibite with a known reference. Pauloabibite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: sub-adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pinkish brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Pauloabibite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Delafossite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Pauloabibite leaves white, Delafossite leaves black; luster reads sub-adamantine on Pauloabibite and metallic on Delafossite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pauloabibite leaves white, Crednerite leaves soot-black, with a brownish tint; luster reads sub-adamantine on Pauloabibite and metallic on Crednerite.
Often found alongside pauloabibite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pauloabibite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaNbO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.246 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Sub-adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In carbonatite associated with an alkaline igneous complex
Where rockhounds find pauloabibite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jacupiranga carbonatite, Cajati, São Paulo, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In carbonatite associated with an alkaline igneous complex. If you start seeing dolomite, calcite, magnetite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pauloabibite?+
Where is pauloabibite found?+
What rocks look like pauloabibite?+
What minerals are found with pauloabibite?+
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Find pauloabibite on the map
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